How To Get An Early Driving Test

There’s no doubt that learning to drive takes time. It ain’t easy mastering all those new skills and there are a few official hoops you need to jump through before the DVSA will grant you a driving licence. On top of all that, many learners find that the only practical test appointments they have access to are months in the future. Even more waiting...

By early, we mean a test that occurs as soon as possible, not necessarily one that is just early in the morning. (Trust us, decent driving test appointments are few and far between, so if time is of the essence, you’ll be happy to take one at any time of the day!)

Before we get into the whys and hows, let’s briefly explore what you can expect when booking a practical test the old-fashioned way.

Learners usually only have access to test appointments that are months in the future. In fact, the average wait time for a practical test sits around the 2-3 month mark. What gives?! Well, learning to drive is a pretty popular pursuit. Think about how many people across the country are learning to drive at the same time as you. That’s a lot of competition for those precious time slots!

In addition to this, the DVSA run a rigorous and by-the-book operation. They’re not like that trendy restaurant that doesn’t take reservations but might just be able to squeeze you in at the bar because the host appreciates that your outfit matches the vibe. Appointments are released months in advance, and if you can’t find one that suits your schedule, you’ll be at a dead-end…

Good things come to those who wait (and all that), but if you’ve put a lot of time and energy into learning to drive, having to wait ages to sit the test is very frustrating. It also won’t be helpful if you’re feeling nervous about the test! However you look at it, earning a licence is a big deal. No one enjoys having to delay something so special!

You’ve recently failed a test

A particular group of people who really appreciate an early driving test are those who have recently failed one. If that sounds like you, chances are you’re basically test-ready and simply failed because of a silly mistake (remember: most people don’t pass on their first attempt!). You probably only need a quick refresher course before you’re ready to get back on that horse. Having to go back to the end of the line to wait for a test appointment is no good at all.

On a more serious note, some people who have a failed test under their belt find that during the wait for another slot to become available, they lose the motivation to try again. As a result, they give up on the whole driving thing and miss out on a really valuable life skill. We can’t stress enough how important it is to keep that momentum going! Securing an early driving test will be a great help here.

Be flexible

If you really are desperate for an early driving test, you gotta be flexible (with your schedule that is; whether you can touch your toes is irrelevant for this one!). While learning to drive is something you can fit around your regular schedule, you still need to be realistic. It makes sense to prioritise it as much as possible, particularly if you’re hoping to get the whole process done and dusted in a short amount of time.

For starters, try to be flexible about where you want to take your practical. You may have your heart set on a specific test centre but wait times vary from location to location, so it’s best to check out the availability at more than one. Maximise your options to maximise your chances of an earlier test!

It’s also important not to worry about factors like the time of day an appointment falls. This kind of thing has very little (read: pretty much zero) impact on whether you will pass or fail. Examiners aim to make all test conditions as fair and equal as possible. Any theories about easy or hard times of day to sit the practical test should be taken with a fistful of salt.

Keep an eye out for cancellations

A small percentage of booked driving tests get cancelled for one reason or another. Perhaps someone needed more time to practice, changed their mind about the location, or managed to find a more convenient option. That part isn’t important. The point is, every so often, previously booked tests reappear as an available slot.

Now, as these earlier tests are like gold dust, they don’t hang around for very long, which is why you rarely see them. We do not recommend taking a week off work to camp out in front of your computer, refreshing the same page over and over and over again. That won’t be good for your eyes, social life, or sanity.

It’s all well and good securing an early test — if you’re ready to pass it!

If you’re not familiar, intensive courses involve taking multiple driving lessons a week that last 2-5 hours. This is in contrast to the traditional approach to driving, which often sees learners spend as little as 1 hour a week learning to drive. When you consider that the DVSA recommend around 48 hours of pro driving tuition before sitting the practical test, it could take you nearly a year to pass when learning the old-fashioned way.

Many people find that intensive courses are a much more efficient way of working towards a licence.